Be treated with respect, dignity and equity. We also have the right to not be harassed, taunted or teased because of who we are.

Everyone is equally entitled to human rights without discrimination. Discrimination happens when someone is treated unfairly or less favourably than another person in the same or similar circumstances. Discrimination can be direct or indirect, and generally takes the form of exclusion or rejection from something.

People with disabilities may experience unfair treatment because of things such as how they look or think, or their reliance on a guide dogs, wheelchairs or other remedial means. Discrimination can also be subtle, creating systemic barriers that lock people out of social and economic opportunities.

The Act covers disabilities, which people have presently, have had in the past, or which they are believed to have. It is also unlawful to discriminate against relatives or associates of people with a disability, because of that disability.

The New Zealand Bill of Rights Act sets out a range of civil and political rights, including among other things, the right to freedom of expression, the right to religious belief, the right to freedom of movement, and the right to be free from discrimination.

Every year we field thousands of complaints and queries from people across the country. Nine out of ten complaints are resolved by our team of mediators.

If you experience or indirect discrimination you can complain to the Human Rights Commission. Find our more information about using your rights here.

Deaf New Zealanders access to their own language is central to health, education and justice outcomes. New Zealand Sign Language is one of our three official languages and as such, you have a legal right to speak NZSL in legal and official proceedings.Learn more about New Zealand's official languages here.

The Commission conducted an inquiry into the use and promotion of New Zealand Sign Language as an official language of New Zealand. Learn more about the inquiry here.

Accommodating disability at work and school

Reasonable steps should be taken in educational and work environments and in the delivery of public services to recognise and accommodate people with disabilities. Read more here.

Unlawful to refuse or fail to admit a person as a pupil or student; or to admit a person as a pupil or a student on less favourable terms and conditions than would otherwise be made available; or to deny or restrict access to any benefits or services provided by the establishment; or to exclude a person as a pupil or a student or subject him or her to any other detriment, by reason of disability.

TheEducation Act states that “people who have special educational needs (whether because of disability or otherwise) have the same rights to enrol and receive education at State schools as people who do not”.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is the first human rights convention of the 21st century. It gives voice, visibility and legitimacy to disabled people and their issues in New Zealand and the rest of the world.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities gives voice, visibility and legitimacy to disabled people and their issues in New Zealand and the rest of the world. It is aimed at protecting the dignity of persons with disabilities and ensuring their equal treatment under the law including the right to health services, education and employment.

The law says that people can be treated differently sometimes. Under the Human Rights Act, lawful discrimination includes actions such as:

advertising for a woman to work as a counsellor with other women

helping a disadvantaged group to achieve equality

government or public sector activities that are reasonable, lawful and demonstrably justifiable in a free and democratic society.

Do I always have my human rights?

People with experience of mental illness often feel they have lost their rights, particularly if they have to go into hospital or receive treatment. This is not the case.

People who are assessed and treated for a mental disorder under the Mental Health Act do lose the important right to choose and consent to that assessment and treatment. However, they still have other rights, such as:

the right to seek a consultation with a psychiatrist of their choosing to get a second opinion

the right to request a lawyer for advice

the right to receive mail

the right to company.

Once a person engages with a mental health service provider, the services provided should be consistent with the Code of Health and Disability Consumers’ Rights 1996. Go to the Health and Disability Commissioner's website to view those rights.

Using your rights

What you can do about discrimination

You should firstly keep a record of incidents you find offensive. It's also a good idea to talk it over with someone you trust and who will keep the information confidential. This may help clarify your best course of action.

Speak to the person who is harassing you and tell them you want them to stop, otherwise you will complain. You can do this in person, in a letter, or with a union or other representative. If this doesn’t work, or is inappropriate, you can seek advice and assistance from:

a discrimination contact person (many workplaces have a discrimination policy)

The main focus of our service is on resolving disputes involving unlawful discrimination, such as on the grounds of age, gender, ethnicity, or disability. But we can also help you with advice on broader human rights issues.

The Human Rights Act makes it clear that reasonable steps should be taken in educational and work environments and in the delivery of public services to recognise and accommodate people with disabilities. Read more here.

Using disability rights language

One of the key aims of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is to promote respect for disabled people’s dignity. The language we use reflects our attitudes to, and respect for people with disability.

The Office for Disability Issues has issued as set guidelines dealing specifically with how to approach disabled people.

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Disability Convention) focuses on the human rights of disabled people. To help monitor the implementation of the Disability Convention, a monitoring group has been set up to report on the Government’s performance. Learn more here.

Disability rights reports

To achieve full inclusion, a barrier-free physical and social environment is necessary. The Commission, in consultation with the community, has identified three key areas where disabled people continue to face barriers: the built environment; the accessing of information and political participation.Click on this link to read our disability rights reports.